Academy CEO Bill Kramer Maps Oscars’ Global Ambitions in Tokyo: ‘Parasite’ Win Was ‘a Pivot, a Shift’

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Bill Kramer outlined the organization’s expanding global strategy during a Tokyo event, highlighting a dramatic rise in international membership from about 5% to 25% over the past decade. Kramer pointed to Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’ winning Best Picture in 2020 as a turning point that signaled the Oscars’ shift toward recognizing global cinema. The Academy is actively recruiting members from underrepresented countries and plans to stream the ceremony free on YouTube to reach wider audiences worldwide. These moves aim to make the Oscars more inclusive and relevant to a global film industry, with Tokyo serving as a key market for engagement. The push reflects broader efforts to diversify the Academy’s voting body and expand its cultural footprint beyond Hollywood, ensuring the awards remain a benchmark for excellence across all filmmaking communities.